Posts Tagged ‘MMA Sailing Foundation’

There are a few folks who truly stand out for their thankless, difficult work trying to build a future for this sport we love so much, and Ben Poucher is one of the most noteworthy. He sends us the latest from the WARRIOR SAILING PROGRAM to try to get your support, and to remind everyone that the WSP has nothing to do with the scandalized Wounded Warrior organization – with Ben, your money actually goes to the veterans! If you hate reading, just go and watch this great video about WSP. Thanks to Marco Oquendo for the shot of the program-owned Trebuchet in Havana Harbor.

People who read the SA front page consistently might notice the name Ralf Steitz or USMMA Sailing Foundation on occasion – usually they’re getting some love for their efforts in supporting youth sailing initiatives. But do people ACTUALLY know what they do for sailing? I doubt it. Not only does Ralf continue to support cadets at King’s Point and youth programs like 13Fifty Racing, but he has also committed to making Warrior Sailing Program a sustainable success story. With over 120 graduated wounded veterans through the Basic Training Camps to date, the Warrior Sailing Program is expanding its horizons and challenging its graduates to new sailing adventures! New initiatives for advanced training, offshore sailing opportunities, and able bodied regattas are all on the upcoming schedule. WSP is the lead sailing program in adaptive sailing opportunities for wounded members of the armed services.

So what, exactly, is WSP about? The Warrior Sailing Team is comprised of graduates from the training camps that are ambitious to race at a competitive level. The WS Team will be competing in able-bodied and disabled body events through the spring/summer 2016. The first in a series of inshore training regattas for 2016 is Charleston Race Week. The team’s season will continue with monthly regatta or training events and will culminate this August in Kingston, Ontario for the J22 WORLDS !

In addition to supporting Warriors on the J22 race circle during Charleston Race Week, Ralf and The Sailing Foundation are also offering their newest donated sailing vessel as an awesome platform for pursuit racing during the Charleston eent. The 84 foot ‘Metolius’ will be a sight to see with Warriors taking their new skills aboard from April 14-17. To add another event to the already busy April schedule, The Sailing Foundation is sending Kings Point Cadets along with youth sailors offshore onboard the Foundation Reichel/Pugh 69 Trebuchetin the Palm Beach To Charleston Race April 8th.

The USMMA Sailing Foundation is taking the lead and needs your help to keep these initiatives and opportunities for youth and warriors! Send your support to Warrior Sailing and go to the WARRIOR CAMPAIGN fundraising efforts, or go to the website to see how you can get involved!

If you see us in Charleston, please come introduce yourself! Our top priority is to make the men and women who graduate from WSP camps feel welcome and included in the sailing community. We all owe these warrior sailors a sincere ‘thank you’ for their service and sacrifice. Support Warrior Sailing, not other initiatives that don’t directly impact those that need it the most.